It is not always easy to have hope. First we have to work out what it is we have hope in. Hope is quite rational if the thing we have hope in is solid. If we trust that there is goodness in the creation of the world (and maybe the creator of the world), and that we are also created good; then we have every reason to hope to share in that goodness. We can look back at our history and realise that our hope is not blind, but based on experience. While there may be ups and downs, highs and lows along the way, but our experience is one of hope.

HOPE. What do you think when you hear the word hope? Last week we hoped it might stop raining. We hoped we might see ourselves on national TV. But hope is much deeper than this. It is something we share with the whole of humanity.
People hope for peace in time of war; food in time of famine; justice in time of oppression. No matter what happens, while there are still people hoping, there is still the opportunity for things to be better.
Hope generates energy and sustains people through difficult times. For some people, hope is so strong that it inspires self-sacrifice to turn hope into reality.
What do you hope for? Where does your hope come from? This week we are building a display of hopes in the square, please come and share your hopes and help to make our picture grow.